Keep Your Brains Active and Having Fun This November at Our Thanksgiving Break Chess Camp!

Join us for a day of chess classes and more at the Rainbow Bridge Culture Center! Camp will include various chess lessons, along with plenty of practice, puzzles, and other fun activities to keeps kids’ minds active and having fun. Special activities will be planned for the day to keep students engaged and learning!

Beginners are welcome!

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Where: Rainbow Bridge Culture Center

2390 North Forest Rd Suite 8 Getzville NY 14068

When: Camp will be held on:

Wednesday November 29th

9:00am - 1:00pm

Please note: students may sign up for as many weeks as they wish, if multiple are offered.

Rates:

Before November 18th, 2024:

$50/ 1 Day

As of November 18th, 2024:

$55/ 1 Day

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Beginner Students will:

• Train their brains by solving chess puzzles

• Learn new concepts with a daily lesson

• Play each other in both casual and competitive games

• Participate in a fun break activity, such as drawing, trivia, and more!

• Play in a simul against their coach

• Try playing different variants of chess

Intermediate Students will:

• Train their brains by solving chess puzzles

• Learn new concepts with a daily lesson

• Play each other in both casual and competitive games

• Participate in a fun break activity, such as drawing, trivia, and more!

• Play in a simul against their coach

• Try playing different variants of chess

• Analyze high-rated chess games with their coach

Advanced Students will:

• Train their brains by solving chess puzzles

• Learn advanced, in-depth concepts with a daily lesson

• Play each other in both casual and competitive games

• Analyze high-level games with their coach

• Participate in a fun break activity, such as drawing, trivia, and more!

• Practice their fast chess in a tournament-style blitz competition

• Try playing different variants of chess

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How it works:

Students will be divided into groups based upon their level of experience. If you are unsure of your child’s level of experience, contact us, and we will make sure that they are placed in the level best suited for them.

Snacks will be provided each day, and students will be encouraged to join in on fun break activities to refresh their brains.

Lessons will be given based on students’ levels, and each week will cover a curriculum that both new and veteran students can benefit from.

Additional Resources:

For additional practice outside of camp, each student may make their own free Lichess account and join the Buffalo Chess Association chess team on Lichess. To create and log into your Lichess account, click here: https://lichess.org/signup.

To join our Lichess team, click here: https://lichess.org/team/buffalo-chess-association.

You will need to create a free Lichess account before you can join the team. PLEASE NOTE: If you do not specify your child’s name and why you are joining the team, you will be declined. This is to make sure our team stays a safe place for all of our students!

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Questions? Contact us here!

Only you can save Chesstopia…

…or destroy it!

Join us for a thrilling evening of “Werewolf,” the exciting game of social deduction! Players will be assigned roles across three teams (villagers, werewolves, and fool), and will seek to either discover the identity of the werewolves, or to defeat the villagers.

We will be using an audio mixer to provide background music and sound effects, as well as some tweaks to the original game’s rules to make things more interesting for players who are knocked out early.

Participants will be given pizza to eat and supplied with water for drinks.

Where: Rainbow Bridge Culture Center
2390 North Forest Rd Suite 8 Getzville NY 14068

When: August 23rd, 5:00pm-8:00pm.

What is “Werewolf”?

Werewolf is a social deduction game (Like Mafia and Among Us) where players are split into 2-3 teams (The villagers, the werewolves, and the fool). Each team has its own goals, but are not told who is in each team.

Villagers’ Team - Win if Werewolves are voted out:
Farmer - The most basic villager job. You sleep at night, and during the day you discuss events with the town and choose who to vote for.

Seer - The town mystic. At night you point at a player and learn whether or not they are a werewolf.

Doctor - The town healer. At night you point at any player (including yourself) who you wish to protect. They cannot become a ghost that night.

Hunter - The town protector. At night you can either skip your turn, or point at another player. That player becomes a ghost. If they were a Werewolf, you’re okay. If they were a villager you also become a ghost.

BFF’s - The town besties. The BFF’s know each others’ roles, and that neither is a werewolf.

Werewolves’ Team - Win if villagers all become ghosts:
Werewolf - The town terror. At night you see who else is a werewolf. Each night you and other werewolves may point at one person (it must be unanimous). That player becomes a ghost.

Henchman - The town villain. You see who the werewolves are night one. They do not know who you are. You win if the werewolves do, even if you didn’t survive until the end.

Fool’s Team - Wins if voted out:

Fool - The town fool. You win if you are voted out. You do not win if you’re eaten.

Ghosts

When players are voted out or attacked, they become ghosts. They may not speak or interact with the living. However, that does not mean the game is over for them! Ghosts have the following abilities:

• Each ghost may choose one living player the night after they are knocked out. If this player survives to the end, then that ghost will also win!

• Every 3rd night, ghosts may vote to place a curse on a player.

• Werewolf ghosts can either vote with the regular ghosts, or place their own separate curse. However, doing so will reveal that a werewolf was caught!

Curses

Any player can claim or pretend to be cursed at any time. When cursed, players cannot break the rules of their curse. If they do so, they will become a ghost immediately.

Agreeableness - For the next day, you must agree with everything that is said to you or about you.

Charades - You cannot talk, and must use hand gestures to communicate. This curse ends only when you are accused of being the werewolf.

Confusion - You must get everyone’s names wrong during the next day..

Explosion - In two rounds (the night after next) you will explode. However, if you can make someone say the secret word that is given to you, you will be cured! However, they will get the curse instead.

The Fool - You must vote for yourself this round. You can still discuss and argue normally.

Hunger - You must ask the teacher when we’re having pizza at least 3 times this round.

Paranoia - For the next day, you must respond to every accusation that is made, even those that aren’t directed at you.

Restlessness - For the next day, you cannot stop moving. Movements do not need to be large; fidgeting is fine.

Silence - For the next day, you cannot talk.

Smartypants - For the next day, you must act like you’re much smarter than everyone else. Rub it in as much as possible.

Telling - For the next day, you must make a specific gesture whenever lying or being untruthful. The teacher will show you the gesture you need to make.

Tongues - You must speak in an accent for the rest of the game. It can be any accent, just not your normal voice!

Wrath - You must accuse someone this round, and must try to convince others to vote for them.

School’s Out

Chess Tournament

WHERE: NT Youth Center, 383 Vandervoort St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120

WHEN: Saturday, June 24th 10:00am - 5:00pm

Entry Fee: $10

Buffalo Chess Association Presents:

Fundraiser Chess Tournament

All proceeds will be sent to aid those affected by the recent earthquakes in Turkey.

Open to all ages - Free Lunch with Admission!

Additional Activities:

Themed Basket Raffle (If you would like to donate a basket, please contact us!)

Simultaneous Exhibition Game

When:

March 4th, 2023

9:30am - 10:00am — Sign-in

10:00am — Play begins

Where:

175 E Park Drive, Tonawanda, NY 14150

Sections:

Unrated — $20 Entry Fee (Free lunch included)

U1100 (Rated) — $20 Entry Fee (Free lunch included)

Open (Rated) — $20 Entry Fee (Free lunch included)

Blitz (Unrated) — $10 Entry Fee (Free lunch included)

A late fee of $5 will be charged for any players who register on the day of the tournament.

New to tournaments? Click here for a guide to tournament terminology and rules!

Prizes:

Team Trophies for:

-Top U1100

-Top Unrated

Individual Trophies for:

-First Place Unrated

-Second Place Unrated

-Third Place Unrated

-First Place U1100

-Second Place U1100

-Third Place U1100

Individual Medals for:

-First Place Open Section

-Second Place Open Section

-Third Place Open Section

-First Place Blitz Section

-Second Place Blitz Section

-Third Place Blitz Section

-Top U800 Player (U1100 Section)

-Top U1400 Player (U1100 Section)

Additional Awards:

-Various chess key-chains and medals will be awarded for exemplary sportsmanship, playing exciting games, etc.

Time Controls:

Unrated: 30-0, 5 Rounds

U1000 (Rated): 30-0, 5 Rounds

Open (Rated): 40-5, 3 Rounds

Blitz (Unrated): 5-0, Rounds TBD

Buffalo Chess Association Presents:

Secret Santa Chess Tournament

Open to all ages - Free Lunch with Admission!

When:

December 17th, 2022

9:30am - 10:00am — Sign-in

10:00am — Play begins

Where:

Sikora Post 1322

950 Payne Ave, North Tonawanda, NY 14120

Sections:

Unrated — $10 Entry Fee (Free lunch included)

U1000 (Rated) — $10 Entry Fee (Free lunch included)

Open (Rated) — $10 Entry Fee (Free lunch included)

A late fee of $5 will be charged for any players who register on the day of the tournament.

New to tournaments? Click here for a guide to tournament terminology and rules!

Prizes:

Unrated

Trophies for 1st through 3rd will be awarded, as well as various chess key-chains and medals for exemplary sportsmanship, playing exciting games, etc.

U1000 (Rated)

Trophies for 1st through 3rd will be awarded, as well as various chess key-chains and medals for exemplary sportsmanship, playing exciting games, etc. A medal will be awarded to the best performing player with a USCF rating of 800 or less.

Open (Rated)

Trophies for 1st through 3rd will be awarded, as well as various chess key-chains and medals for exemplary sportsmanship, playing exciting games, etc. A medal will be awarded to the best performing player with a USCF rating of 1400 or less.

Time Controls:

Unrated: 20-0

U1000 (Rated): 30-0

Open (Rated): 30-0

Five rounds will be played. Pairings will be generated using the Swiss System.

Buffalo Chess Association Presents:

Hungry Knights Scholastic Chess Tournament

Open to students K-12

When:

November 27th, 2022

9:30am - 10:00am — Sign-in

10:00am — Play begins

Where:

The Rainbow Bridge Culture Center

2390 North Forest Rd Suite 8 Getzville NY 14068

Sections:

Unrated (Beginners) — $10 Entry Fee

Unrated (Intermediate +) — $10 Entry Fee

A late fee of $3 will be charged for any players who register on the day of the tournament.

Prizes:

Unrated (Beginners)

Trophies for 1st through 3rd will be awarded, as well as various chess key-chains and medals for exemplary sportsmanship, playing exciting games, etc. Additionally, first place will receive a colored chess set (one of three choices). Second and Third place will both receive chess notation books.

Unrated (Intermediate +)

Trophies for 1st through 3rd will be awarded, as well as various chess key-chains and medals for exemplary sportsmanship, playing exciting games, etc. Additionally, first place will receive a tournament chess set with a traveling quiver. Second and Third place will both receive chess notation books.

Time Controls:

Unrated (Beginner): 15-0

Unrated (Intermediate +): 30-0

Five rounds will be played.

Calling All Chess Detectives!

Calling All Chess Detectives!

Buffalo Chess Association Presents:

Back to the Board Chess Tournament

Open to kids and adults!

When:

September 18th, 2021

9:00am - 9:30am — Sign-in

10:00am — Play begins

Where:

The Lackawanna Senior Center

230 Martin Road, Lackawanna, NY 14218

Lunch will be provided to all players!

Sections:

Unrated — $10 Entry Fee

Rated Under 1200 — $10 Entry Fee

Open — $20 Entry Fee

A late fee of $5 will be charged for any players who register on the day of the tournament.

Prizes:

Unrated

Trophies for 1st through 3rd will be awarded, as well as various chess keychains and medals for exemplary sportsmanship, playing exciting games, etc.

Under 1200

Trophies for 1st through 3rd will be awarded; cash prizes will be offered if an adult wins 1st or 2nd place. Trophies for the best performing U1000 player and for the best performing U800 player will also be awarded.

Rated 1200+

1st Place: $100

2nd Place: $70

3rd Place: $40

Top U1400: $30

Time Controls:

Unrated: 15-0

Rated: 30-0

Five rounds will be played.

Location: Rainbow Bridge Culture Center

2390 North Forest Rd, Suite 8

Getzville NY 14068

We will be handing out prizes for the BCA 2020 Halloween Tournament outside the Rainbow Bridge Culture Center from 5:00pm-8:00pm. If you cannot make it during this time, please contact us to see if alternative pickup can be arranged. If you are competing in this tournament but live outside of Western New York, please contact us to arrange for an alternative solution.

Instructors handing out prizes will be wearing masks and gloves, and all prizes will be disinfected properly.

For the safety of you, other families, and our instructors we ask that you please wear a mask when picking up your prizes.

Tournament Format

This tournament will consist of two events: a 10-5 time control arena from 6:00pm-7:40pm, and a 3-0 blitz arena from 8:00pm-9:00pm. All participants are free to attend either or both arenas, but are required to either create a free Lichess account or use their existing account to participate. Students are encouraged to join our Zoom call at Meeting ID: 854 1662 9954 to participate in discussion and to show off their Halloween costumes! For security, the meeting password will only be given after sign-up.

We will be using the Lichess arena system for these tournaments. This system allows students to play as many games as possible, as it will try to match players into new games as soon as their previous games finish. PLEASE NOTE: Players have 20 seconds to make their first move during each game. If they do not move in that time their game will be forfeited and they will be automatically “paused” in the tournament. Players can unpause by clicking the green “join” button on the tournament main page.

How to Join

1. Sign up for the tournament on our website, here: https://www.buffalochessassociation.com/tournament-sign-up

2. Join our Lichess team, here: https://lichess.org/team/buffalo-chess-association. You will need to create a free Lichess account before you can join the team. PLEASE NOTE: If you do not specify your child’s name and why you are joining the team, you will be declined. This is to make sure our team stays a safe place for all of our students!
   If you are unsure of how to do this, please refer to this YouTube tutorial.

3. Join the tournament(s), here:

   10-5 time control: https://lichess.org/tournament/FlUgWK9d

   3-0 time control: https://lichess.org/tournament/WW1bHLqy
   If you are unsure of how to do this, please refer to this YouTube tutorial.

Rules

No Cheating

Participants are to receive no external help in playing their games. This includes both help from other individuals (including, but not limited to, parents, siblings, and friends) and usage of a chess engine or other computer assistance. However, parents MAY help their child navigate the Lichess website or deal with technical difficulties if necessary. We will utilize Lichess built-in anti-cheat systems, alongside instructor analysis of any suspicious games. Violation of this rule will result the student’s Lichess account being banned, along with a ban from future BCA events and ineligibility for prizes.

Be Kind

Participants are to show good sportsmanship and be kind to each other. Being unsportsmanly in either victory or defeat will result in first a warning, and then being temporarily muted. Repeated offenses will result in being ineligible for prizes. Severely bad sportsmanship may result in a ban from future BCA events.

Prizes

All students will receive a prize. Prizes will be determined by number of wins, see below.

1st place: A 1st place trophy and a bucket of candy.

Best Win Percentage¹: A bag of candy.

Best intermediate²: A bag of candy.

Best beginner²: A bag of candy.

Best intro³: A bag of candy.

Best non BCA/KPC student: A bag of candy.

Students will receive candy based on their performance in their games (adjusted for their level). PLEASE NOTE: Students should not “trade” wins (by taking turns quickly resigning) or accept draws without good reason. Doing so will result in warnings, then disqualification from all prizes. Please earn your candy fairly!
Intro
10/5:

4 pieces of candy per win
0.5 pieces of candy per loss (rounded up)
1.5 pieces of candy per draw (rounded up)

3/0:

1 piece of candy per win
0.2 pieces of candy per loss (rounded up)
0.5 pieces of candy per draw (rounded up)

Beginner
10/5:

2 pieces of candy per win
0.75 pieces of candy per draw (rounded up)

3/0:

0.5 pieces of candy per win (rounded up)

Intermediate
10/5:

1.5 pieces of candy per win (rounded up)
0.5 pieces of candy per draw (rounded up)

3/0:

0.4 pieces of candy per win (rounded up)

Students not in the BCA/KPC curriculum
10/5:

1.5 pieces of candy per win (rounded up)
0.5 pieces of candy per draw (rounded up)

3/0:

0.4 pieces of candy per win (rounded up)

More candy may be added for students in this category, at tournament directors’ discretion. We will do this as necessary to prevent non BCA/KPC students from receiving an unfairly small amount of candy.

Advanced
10/5:

1 piece of candy per win
0.25 pieces of candy per draw (rounded up)

3/0:

0.25 pieces of candy per win

All prizes can be collected on October 31st from 5:00pm-8:00pm outside of the Rainbow Bridge Culture Center! See our event “Tournament Prize Handouts” for more information.

¹ Arenas give first place to whoever has won the MOST games, which is not always the person who has lost the least! This category is to ensure that slow and accurate players will not be left out. If the first place winner has the highest win percentage, they will receive this reward as well.

² Available for BCA and KPC students only. This is due to us being unable to fairly determine the skill levels of non-students before seeing the results. To make up for this, we will be giving a prize to the best non BCA/KPC student!

³ Available for BCA students only. This is due to us being unable to fairly determine whether a student is of “intro” level before seeing their results unless they were already in our intro program.